Teach Middle East Magazine Jan-Feb 2016 Issue 3 Volume 3 | Page 52

In the UAE FEATURED HIGHLIG Last year, Teach UAE Magazine shared some of the innovative work that was being done by educators inside classrooms throughout the UAE and the region. These dedicated professionals showed their creativity and passion by implementing transformative activities, that helped to further enhance students learning, while giving their colleagues insight into new ideas that work. Additionally, A Moment With introduced you to some of the movers and shakers within the UAE and the region, who are doing exciting work in their respective industries. Below are some quick highlights to remind you of who they are and to prepare you for our 2016 guests. A Moment With Dr Abdulla Al Karam What is the best advice that you have received? “The best advice that I have gotten and I also share is that the most important thing is for you to be happy. For this generation, happiness is now. Happiness is the prerequisite for working hard, achieving success and prosperity. If you are happy, everything works. We should not keep happiness as a goal to aspire to. Why keep such a beautiful thing for the future?” Managing Director – KHDA Nasif Kayed Managing Director (SMCCU) Who was your f avo u ri te teacher? “My favourite teacher was my toughest. I used to struggle with Arabic grammar, and he would say, ‘You might not master the grammar, but you must master speaking it and writing it to be effective in your life.’ This encouraged me to strive in life to always find a way to compensate for where I fall short or may have a weakness, Sean Covey which in return has helped me in English and many other Executive Vice areas in my life.” President – FranklinCovey Share a strategy that educators can use to assist students in taking responsibility for their learning. “Teach students how to set and achieve personal and academic goals. Have them track their progress in a data notebook. Students are able to assess how they are doing on their academic goals at any time and they account for these during student-led conferences with parents.” Mohamed & Peyman Al Awadhi Co-Hosts and Co-Producers Peeta Planet How can Emiratis promote UAE culture and traditions? “…If possible, we highly encourage promoting by doing! Rather than talking about culture and tradition with non-Emiratis, show them how it’s done and involve them in the processes… Before promoting culture and traditions, it often helps to get reacquainted with details and explanations that you wouldn’t have known before.” 50 | Jan - Feb 2016 | | After The Bell Sunny Varkey Who was your favourite teacher? Why? “I have to say my parents. They had the courage to make the journey to Dubai, a journey of